Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of tinnitus and hearing loss due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus with no post-service recreational noise exposure is supported by his statements regarding exposure to noise in service and ringing in the ears that continued thereafter. The benefit of doubt was resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current symptoms are related to in-service noise exposure and granting the benefit of doubt.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to non-compliance with previous directives and the Veteran's incarceration at a correctional facility. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations for the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities, tailored to his confinement.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that the Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during military service and these conditions have persisted since then.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to acoustic trauma experienced during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure as a field artillery cannoneer.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to procedural errors in the decision-making process.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudicative action due to conflicting medical opinions regarding service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,PTSD and panic disorder with claustrophobia and acrophobia are remanded for further review due to the need for additional evidence and examination.,Chronic liver disease is remanded for a VA examination addressing both direct and secondary service connection possibilities.,GERD is remanded for a VA examination considering its potential relationship to major depressive disorder, obesity, or other service-connected conditions.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination assessing the nature and etiology of the condition, including consideration of its relation to major depressive disorder and obesity.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active duty and are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and is related to his military noise exposure, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in and due to his time in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to January 27, 2017 is denied as there was no pending claim at that time. The SMC at the housebound rate starting December 6, 2018 is granted due to a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims, including those related to diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction, due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.